Triblive.com reported on Tuesday (November 29)
The Commonwealth Court on Tuesday said that Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association is subject to the state’s Right to Know Law.
In a 28-page opinion, the appellate court said it is “undisputed” that the PIAA, which governs high school athletics, is a state-affiliated entity and therefore subject to providing information pursuant to Pennsylvania Open Records laws.
“PIAA’s statewide control over high school athletics and the connection between the funds it receives from its members and the commonwealth’s taxpayers is sufficient such that its classification as a ‘state-affiliated entity’ for purposes of the RTKL is reasonable,” the court wrote.
In December of 2020, PIAA filed a suit against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, arguing that the state’s Right Lo Know Law should not apply to them. PIAA claimed in its suit that it is not “nor has it ever been, either a commonwealth authority or entity.”
Shapiro Opposed PIAA Lawsuit
SharonHerald.com wrote in July of 2021 – Attorney General Josh Shapiro submitted a brief to the courts on July 1 explaining that the PIAA is in fact subject to the law.
“The only possible answer to that question is yes,” Shapiro wrote. ”Because the statute explicitly says so.”
A spokesperson for the office of the attorney general said in an email Thursday “To clarify, our position isn’t that PIAA should be subject to the RTKL, but rather that it is subject to the RTKL. Whether or not it should be is a decision for the legislature, not the courts.”